Arsenic-resistant catalyst and method for producing the same

ABSTRACT

An arsenic-resistant composite oxide catalyst containing oxides of at least the metals vanadium and molybdenum, in particular for reducing nitrogen oxides in flue gases in the presence of a reducing agent, such as ammonia or carbon monoxide, includes at least one composite oxide phase with a general formula V x  Mo y  O 32 , where x+y≦12 and where x≧1 and y≧1, and optionally a MoO 3  phase. A method for producing an arsenic-resistant composite oxide catalyst includes mixing vanadium oxide and molybdenum oxide or a precursor thereof with one another to form a mixture, heating the mixture to a temperature at which a mixture of oxides is present, preferably in completely molten form, then cooling down the mixture to form at least one composite oxide phase with a general formula V x  Mo y  O 32 , and then subjecting the composite oxide phase to a reducing treatment to prepare a lower-oxygen composite oxide phase with the same structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 740,813, filed Aug. 6, 1991, abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a catalyst containing at least the metals vanadium and molybdenum in an oxygen lattice and a method of producing the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Such catalysts have become increasingly important for reducing nitrogen oxides in flue gases in the presence of a reducing agent, among other purposes. To this end, the flue gases containing nitrogen oxides are enriched with a reducing agent, typically ammonia or carbon monoxide, and moved past the catalytically active surfaces. In this process, the nitrogen oxides are converted into nitrogen and water vapor, with simultaneous oxidation of the ammonia. Catalysts that contain oxides of one or more of the metals titanium, vanadium, molybdenum and tungsten are generally used for this purpose. When such catalysts are used in flue gases containing nitrogen oxides, it has been found that they lose their catalytic activity over time. That decrease in catalytic activity proceeds faster with higher proportions of arsenic in the flue gases. When such catalysts are used in a flue gas flow upstream of a flue gas scrubber, particularly when ash recirculation into a melting chamber is provided, such catalysts deactivate especially quickly because of a process-dictated concentration of catalyst poisons, such as arsenous oxide.

In order to avert the decrease in catalytic activity as much as possible, various mixtures of catalytically active components have already been studied. However, it was only possible to slightly improve the course of deactivation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an arsenic-resistant catalyst and a method for producing the same, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known methods and devices of this general type and which provide a way to make such catalysts resistant, in particular to the catalyst poison arsenous oxide.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an arsenic-resistant catalyst containing at least the metals vanadium and molybdenum in an oxygen lattice in particular for reducing nitrogen oxides in flue gases in the presence of a reducing agent, such as ammonia or carbon monoxide, comprising at least one phase having the general formula V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂, where x+y≦12, x≧1 and y≧1, and optionally a MoO₃ phase.

A catalyst of this kind is a multiple of times more arsenic-resistant than any other known catalysts, but a particular advantage is that its catalytic activity only decreases slightly even when it absorbs large quantities of arsenous oxide.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided a method for producing an arsenic-resistant catalyst, which comprises mixing vanadium oxide and molybdenum oxide or a precursor thereof with one another to form a mixture, heating the mixture to a temperature at which a mixture of oxides is present, preferably in completely molten form in accordance with a phase diagram, then cooling down the mixture to form at least one phase with a general formula V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂, where x+y≦12, x≧1 and y≧1, and then subjecting this phase to a reducing treatment to prepare a lower-oxygen phase being a partly reduced material of V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the low-oxygen phase is applied to a vehicle material. This makes it possible to adjust the surface area of the catalytically active phase in proportion to the flow cross section.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the reducing agent treated phase V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ is applied to an oxidic support according to the complete catalyst that is able to develop a pore radius of over 200 angstrom units for more than 75% of the pores. Clearly, not only the particular catalytic properties of the vanadium-molybdenum phase, but also the large pore radius, is able to play a significant role in the finished catalyst. The large pore radius may possibly prevent the inner surface from becoming plugged with arsenous oxide.

In accordance with an added feature of the invention, titanium oxide, codierite, alumina or silica are used as the oxidic support. These substances are adequately temperature-proof, and due to the method steps described above, they produce the desired porous structure.

In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, it is very particularly advantageous if the molybdenum phase is likewise partly reduced. As a result, the molybdenum oxide can be prevented from forming a compound with the arsenous oxide of the flue gas which would, for instance, result in the compounds As₄ Mo₃ O₁₅ or MoAs₂ O₇. At the same time, the undesirable conversion of SO₂ into SO₃ can also be lessened.

In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, in the manufacture of a catalyst of this kind, it is particularly advantageous if the reducing agent-treated V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase is mixed in the form of a powder with the oxidic support and is preferably calcined at 500° C. to 600° C. As a result, a distribution of pore radius can be achieved in which over 75% of all of the pore radii are over 200 angstroms.

In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, it has proved to be particularly suitable if the starting materials of vanadium oxide and molybdenum oxide are mixed with one another in a ratio of 0.7:1. As a result of this mixture ratio, the two starting materials are present in a quantitative ratio that provides especially well for an enrichment of the desired precursor in the form of an oxygen-rich phase V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂, where x+y≦12, x≧1 and y≧1.

In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, the melting process can be effected at temperature of substantially above 600° C., preferably in the range from 600° C. to over 800° C., and this temperature can be maintained for approximately half an hour. This assures that the entire substance mixture will melt together and is well mixed, so that when it cools down, the desired V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase is formed without producing V₂ O₅ domains.

Various possible procedures for the reducing treatment exist.

In accordance with yet an additional mode of the invention, the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase can be cooled down, ground after cooling to a particle diameter of substantially less than 180 μm, and then subjected to a reducing treatment.

In this particular case, in accordance with again another mode of the invention, the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase, ground down to a particle diameter of substantially less than 180 μm can be subjected in a fixed bed to a reducing gas at 400° C. to 590° C.

Alternatively, in accordance with again a further mode of the invention, the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase, ground down to a particle diameter of substantially less than 180 μm, can also be subjected to a fluidized-bed gas reduction with a reducing gas at 400° C. to 590° C.

In both of these last two cases, in accordance with again an added mode of the invention, arsenous oxide is suitable as a reducing agent for reducing the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase.

Furthermore, in both of these last two cases, in accordance with again an additional mode of the invention, one or more of the reaction gases of the group including methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, hydrocarbons or aromatic compounds are especially advantageously suitable for reducing the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase. Unlike the situation with arsenous oxide, the MoO₃ phase is reduced by these reducing agents as well. The result, among others, is a lower rate of the conversion of SO₂ to SO₃ later on.

Completely surprisingly, however, it is unnecessary to wait for the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase to set before subjecting it to the reducing treatment. Instead, in accordance with still another, particularly suitable mode of the invention, the reducing treatment of the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase can be performed at a temperature at which the mixture is in completely molten form in accordance with the phase diagram.

In accordance with still a further mode of the invention, the reducing treatment by gas reduction of the molten V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase in the presence of a reaction partner, such as arsenous oxide, methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and/or other hydrocarbons, can be performed at a temperature at which the mixture is in completely molten form in accordance with the phase diagram.

Finally, in accordance with still an added mode of the invention, it is possible to perform the reducing treatment by electroreduction of the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase at temperatures at which the mixture is in completely molten form in accordance with the phase diagram.

In both of these last two cases, it is possible in accordance with a concomitant mode of the invention to grind the reducing agent-treated V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase, obtained by the reducing treatment of the molten V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase, down to 180 μm after it has cooled down and before the admixture of the oxidic support. As a result, a material that is fine enough for calcination with the support being selected is obtained.

Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein a embodied in an arsenic-resistant catalyst and a method for producing the same, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart and block diagram of various production methods for arsenic-resistant catalysts;

FIG. 2 is a phase diagram for V₂ O₅ /MoO₃ system; and

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a comparison of a pore size in the catalyst according to the invention and in a prior art titanium-molybdenum catalyst in which the same titanium dioxide starting material was used.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen an overview of various production methods that lead to an arsenic-resistant catalyst according to the invention. These various production methods can be divided into the following method steps, which will be described individually below and are to be performed in succession:

1. Mixing (1) of starting substances vanadium oxide (2) and molybdenum oxide (3);

2. Conversion of the mixture to the liquid phase by melting (4);

3. Cooling (6) and setting of the melt or V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase;

4. Grinding (8) of the cooled-down V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase;

5. Reduction (10, 12, 14, 16) of the ground composite oxide phase. Four different reaction processes are alternatively possible for this purpose. They are gas reduction in a fixed bed (10), gas reduction in a fluidized bed (12), tempering (14) of the ground product at reduced pressure, and electro-reduction (16) of the ground product.

6. Cooling down phase (20, 22, 24, 26) of the ground product following the reduction process being used;

7. Grinding (28) of the cooled-down, reduced phase as needed;

8. Mixing (34) of the reduced phase with a support (30);

9. Calcining (36) of the mixture.

Specifically, vanadium oxide and molybdenum oxide are mixed together in step 1 in a ratio of 0.7 to 1. This mixture ratio is not exactly equivalent to the stoichiometric ratio of the phase sought, but in the ensuing melting step 4 it produces the best results, because of the particular nature of the V₂ O₅ /MoO₃ system shown in the phase diagram of FIG. 2.

As the phase diagram of FIG. 2 shows, the oxygen-rich phase V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ does not include any V₂ O₅ if the MoO₃ content is kept above 58 mol-% in the V₂ O₅ /MoO₃ mixture. In this range, increasingly large proportions of a V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase can be expected as the V₂ O₅ proportion increases.

As best understood from X-ray diffraction measurements on a single crystal formed of the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ x≦1; y≧1 and x+y≦12 phase. The oxygen atoms appear have been found to be disposed in octahedrons which are edge-linked and chain-linked at the edges. The heavy metal atoms vanadium or molybdenum are disposed on the inside of the octahedrons. It is also possible that some of the octahedrons are not occupied by a heavy metal atom. The number of octahedrons per elementary cell of the vanadium-molybdenum-composite-oxide is twelve. The general formula of the elementary cell with twelve octahedrons can therefore be given with V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ ; where x+y≦12, x≧1 and y≧1.

It has been found that the most favorable working conditions exist in the range between 58 mol-% of MoO₃ and approximately 70 mol-% of MoO₃, in terms of both the complete melting of the mixture at the lowest possible temperatures and the maximum possible concentration of the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase to be formed. If work is done with a starting mixture of V₂ O₅ to MoO₃ in a ratio of 0.7:1 in mol-%, then after the complete melting of the mixture in a range from 600° C. to 650° C. and cooling down as it drops below approximately 600° C., the desired V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase forms, with only very slight proportions of an MoO₃ phase. The ensuing grinding of this solid oxide phase produces a powder which can be subjected to a gas reduction in either the fixed bed or the fluidized bed. It can be put in contact with a reducing gas at a temperature of from 400° C. to 590° C., and preferably approximately 430° C. It is best if the gas flows through the fixed bed or the fluidized bed reactor in the form of a circulating gas. Suitable examples of reducing gases are methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen and hydrocarbon derivatives or aromatic compounds. During the reduction process there is no change in the oxide structure. But there can be created O-defects (oxygen) in the octahedrons by eliminating exposed oxygen atoms. These O-defects may be responsible for the higher catalytic activity. Arsenous oxide in the form of As can also be used for changing the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase to the reduced V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase with O-defects. In this latter case, however, leaching or heating of the reduced V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase may later become necessary under some circumstances, in order to reduce arsenic residues. When put in contact with these above-mentioned substances, the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase is reduced to a reduced V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase containing O-defects. The speed of the reduction accelerates as the temperature increases.

As far as understood, when the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase is treated with a reducing agent, a reduced material with the unchanged structure V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ results. The X-ray diffraction measurement results do not differ in their refractions angles between the unreduced V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase and the reduced V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase. What is different, is a substantially increased catalytic activity of the reduced phase as compared to the higher-oxygen V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase. This can be understood that some oxygen atoms are eliminated during reduction process and thus produce O-defects. The result after the reduction treatment will in the following be referred to as reduced or lower-oxygen phase.

Unlike the situation when arsenous oxide is the reducing agent, it is simultaneously possible to jointly reduce the remaining MoO₃ phase as well, if methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon derivatives are used as the reducing agents. This prevents the molybdenum oxide, in later operational use, from forming compounds of a type such as As₄ Mo₃ O₁₅ or MoAs₂ O₇ with the arsenous oxide of the flue gas. At the same time, a lower rate of conversion of SO₂ to SO₃ is also attained. This conversion is highly undesirable, because the SO₃, together with the ammonia in the flue gas, forms ammonium sulfate (NH₄)SO₄ and ammonium hydrogen sulfate NH₄ HSO₄, and if their temperature drops below the temperature of condensation but is above their melting temperature, these substances coat all of the fixtures disposed downstream in the course of the flue gas with a sticky composition.

However, the reduction of the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase can also be attained if this phase is subjected to a high vacuum for several hours at temperatures between 400° C. and just below 600° C. Once again, a higher temperature produces an acceleration of the reaction, although an adequate margin from the melting point must be adhered to, in order to avoid a destruction of the said phase. Another option for reduction of the ground V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase is electro-reduction.

In all of these cases, a V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase is obtained that leads to a more or less high proportion of the reduced V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase, depending on the progress of the conversion.

This reduced phase can then be ground down to particle sizes of less than 180 μm, in the event that this fine particle size has not already been attained in the grinding step 8 prior to the reducing treatment. The adequately finely ground reduced V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase can then be mixed with the selected support material, such as titanium oxide, codierite or alumina. If titanium oxide is used, then the use of a titanium oxide having a BET surface area of 40 to 200 m² /g and a pore radius of substantially from 20 to 200 A, and preferably from 100 to 130 angstrom is recommended. In the ensuing calcination at 500 to 600° C., a catalytically active material having a pore radius of about 1000 angstrom units forms under process conditions, as the exemplary embodiment shows. More than 75% of the pores have a pore radius of over 200 angstrom units, and more than 70% of the pores have a pore radius of over 500 angstrom units.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, more than 70% of the pores may have a pore radius of from 200 to 10⁴ angstrom and more than 15% have a pore radius of over 10³ angstrom.

In FIG. 3, a curve 40 shows this distribution of pore size in the finished arsenic-resistant catalyst according to the invention. For comparison, a curve 42 shows the proportion of the pore size in the catalyst according to the prior art. The point of interest in this comparison is that in both cases, the same TiO₂ support, having the same distribution of particle sizes and the same specific surface area, was used.

As FIG. 1 also shows, it is optionally possible to subject the resultant oxygen-rich V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase to both a gas reduction 50 and an electroreduction 52 while it is still in the molten state. In the gas reduction 50 the gas for reduction is blown through the melt. The same gases that are listed for gas reduction in the fixed and fluidized beds are suitable as reducing gases in this case. In electroreduction, an appropriate direct voltage is applied to two electrodes plunging into the melt. As cooling 54 and 56 occurs, the reduced V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase already solidifies out in both cases, along with residues of the oxygen-rich V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase and the MoO₃ phase. The product thus obtained must then be ground down to a particle range of less than 180 μm before it can be calcined, as already described, in a mixture with the desired support material at 500 to 600° C.

The arsenic-resistant reduced V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase on the oxidic support can be either applied to a metal vehicle, such as expanded sheet metal, corrugated sheet metal, metal trellis work, or extruded in the form of a honeycomb, and calcined. It is also possible for the reduced V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase, applied to a support such as TiO₂, to then be applied to a macroscopic ceramic vehicle, such as swelling clay.

Materials were manufactured in accordance with the above-described process. The characterization of the material was done by means of single crystal investigations (X-ray structural analysis, Weissenberg method). The following results were obtained:

    ______________________________________                                         Symmetry         monoclinic                                                    Space group      P2.sub.1 /a                                                   Lattice parameters                                                                              a: 19.3569 Å, b: 7.2582 Å,                                             c: 4.1193 Å, β: 90.65°                        ______________________________________                                    

The structure comprises edge-linked double octahedron chains linked first into layers and then forming a three dimensional network of interconnected octahedron chains. The oxygen lattice in this structure appears very stable, vacancies in the octahedrons are occupied by molybdenum or vanadium. In addition to the statistical distribution of the metal atoms among the octahedrons, two stable locations are available to metal atoms within each octahedron. The table included in the Appendix gives the calculated diffraction angles (2 theta) and intensities determined from a powder data file for the lattice planes (hk1) derived from powder diffraction measurements.

As mentioned above, the formula V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ of the higher and lower-oxygen phases is as best understood. The stoichiometry recited in the claims must be interpreted in light of the following diffraction data listed on the following pages.

    ______________________________________                                         APPENDIX                                                                       Peak list calculated by Guinier Simulation Program.                            2*theta refer to wavelength CU KA = 1.54051 Å                              2*theta   Intensity        (HKL)                                               ______________________________________                                         13.02     0.01             (1 1 0)                                             15.25     0.24             (2 1 0)                                             18.32     47.85            (4 0 0)                                             18.38     0.02             (3 1 0)                                             21.56     97.86            (0 0 1)                                             22.06     0.21             (4 1 0)                                             23.35     5.75             (-2 0 1)                                            23.55     7.33             (2 0 1)                                             24.51     0.00             (0 2 0)                                             24.83     0.48             (0 1 1)                                             24.94     100.00           (1 2 0)                                             25.22     0.60             (-1 1 1)                                            25.31     0.46             (1 1 1)                                             26.07     0.01             (5 1 0)                                             26.20     0.00             (2 2 0)                                             26.42     0.52             (-2 1 1)                                            26.59     0.46             (2 1 1)                                             27.63     64.91            (6 0 0)                                             28.19     13.38            (3 2 0)                                             28.27     0.91             (-4 0 1)                                            28.35     0.47             (-3 1 1)                                            28.59     19.38            (4 0 1)                                             28.60     0.52             (3 1 1)                                             30.29     0.00             (6 1 0)                                             30.77     0.00             (4 2 0)                                             30.88     0.35             (-4 1 1)                                            31.18     0.44             (4 1 1)                                             32.86     0.15             (0 2 1)                                             33.16     34.17            (-1 2 1)                                            33.23     0.13             (1 2 1)                                             33.83     43.29            (5 2 0)                                             33.90     0.33             (-5 1 1)                                            34.11     0.04             (-2 2 1)                                            34.24     0.29             (5 1 1)                                             34.25     0.07             (2 2 1)                                             34.69     0.00             (7 1 0)                                             35.11     13.17            (-6 0 1)                                            35.51     0.98             (6 0 1)                                             35.66     2.65             (-3 2 1)                                            35.86     0.05             (3 2 1)                                             37.13     2.66             (8 0 0)                                             37.26     0.00             (6 2 0)                                             37.29     0.33             (-6 1 1)                                            37.43     0.00             (1 3 0)                                             37.67     0.22             (6 1 1)                                             37.75     0.06             (-4 2 1)                                            38.01     0.00             (4 2 1)                                             38.31     0.00             (2 3 0)                                             39.22     0.03             (8 1 0)                                             39.76     0.00             (3 3 0)                                             40.32     0.04             (-5 2 1)                                            40.62     3.72             (5 2 1)                                             41.00     1.82             (7 2 0)                                             41.00     0.27             (-7 1 1)                                            41.41     0.22             (7 1 1)                                             41.70     0.03             (4 3 0)                                             43.11     0.11             (-8 0 1)                                            43.28     0.02             (-6 2 1)                                            43.34     0.14             (0 3 1)                                             43.56     0.18             (8 0 1)                                             43.57     0.20             (-1 3 1)                                            43.62     0.04             (6 2 1)                                             43.63     0.07             (1 3 1)                                             43.87     0.01             (9 1 0)                                             43.92     12.67            (0 0 2)                                             44.10     0.05             (5 3 0)                                             44.33     0.14             (-2 3 1)                                            44.44     0.11             (2 3 1)                                             44.85     1.79             (-2 0 2)                                            44.97     0.24             (-8 1 1)                                            44.99     0.00             (8 2 0)                                             45.07     2.88             (2 0 2)                                             45.40     0.23             (8 1 1)                                             45.58     0.18             (-3 3 1)                                            45.75     0.13             (3 3 1)                                             45.76     0.25             (0 1 2)                                             45.95     0.27             (-1 1 2)                                            46.06     0.25             (1 1 2)                                             46.60     6.15             (-7 2 1)                                            46.65     0.33             (-2 1 2)                                            46.87     0.27             (2 1 2)                                             46.90     23.75            (10 0 0)                                            46.90     0.02             (6 3 0)                                             46.97     0.90             (7 2 1)                                             47.31     0.11             (-4 3 1)                                            47.52     0.19             (4 3 1)                                             47.76     1.22             (-4 0 2)                                            47.84     0.26             (-3 1 2)                                            48.15     0.30             (3 1 2)                                             48.17     6.50             (4 0 2)                                             48.64     0.03             (10 1 0)                                            49.15     0.17             (-9 1 1)                                            49.20     0.00             (9 2 0)                                             49.47     0.16             (-5 3 1)                                            49.48     0.22             (-4 1 2)                                            49.61     0.20             (9 1 1)                                             49.72     0.12             (5 3 1)                                             49.88     0.27             (4 1 2)                                             50.05     0.00             (7 3 0)                                             50.21     0.06             (-8 2 1)                                            50.24     22.19            (0 4 0)                                             50.47     0.00             (1 4 0)                                             50.61     0.07             (8 2 1)                                             50.94     0.10             (0 2 2)                                             51.12     13.59            (-1 2 2)                                            51.17     0.49             (2 4 0)                                             51.22     0.40             (1 2 2)                                             51.54     0.20             (-5 1 2)                                            51.77     0.05             (-2 2 2)                                            51.92     3.49             (-10 0 1)                                           51.97     0.02             (2 2 2)                                             52.02     0.12             (-6 3 1)                                            52.04     0.21             (5 1 2)                                             52.32     0.08             (6 3 1)                                             52.33     0.00             (3 4 0)                                             52.39     4.96             (-6 0 2)                                            52.41     10.41            (10 0 1)                                            52.87     1.32             (-3 2 2)                                            52.97     0.00             (6 0 2)                                             53.16     0.14             (3 2 2)                                             53.52     0.02             (8 3 0)                                             53.54     0.00             (11 1 0)                                            53.55     0.10             (-10 1 1)                                           53.62     0.00             (10 2 0)                                            53.92     3.34             (4 4 0)                                             54.00     0.20             (-6 1 2)                                            54.02     0.13             (10 1 1)                                            54.09     1.70             (-9 2 1)                                            54.40     0.00             (-4 2 2)                                            54.52     1.63             (9 2 1)                                             54.57     0.15             (6 1 2)                                             54.78     0.00             (4 2 2)                                             54.93     0.17             (-7 3 1)                                            55.26     0.10             (7 3 1)                                             55.27     12.47            (0 4 1)                                             55.47     0.02             (-1 4 1)                                            55.52     0.01             (1 4 1)                                             55.91     0.00             (5 4 0)                                             56.10     0.86             (-2 4 1)                                            56.20     1.04             (2 4 1)                                             56.33     0.03             (-5 2 2)                                            56.80     2.45             (5 2 2)                                             56.82     0.23             (-7 1 2)                                            57.05     1.72             (12 0 0)                                            57.17     0.03             (-3 4 1)                                            57.27     0.00             (9 3 0)                                             57.31     0.06             (3 4 1)                                             57.47     0.16             (7 1 2)                                             58.13     0.10             (-11 1 1)                                           58.17     0.10             (-8 3 1)                                            58.22     20.71            (11 2 0)                                            58.22     0.00             (-10 2 1)                                           58.29     11.65            (6 4 0)                                             58.47     0.06             (-8 0 2)                                            58.54     0.12             (8 3 1)                                             58.57     0.00             (12 1 0)                                            58.63     0.10             (11 1 1)                                            58.64     0.20             (-4 4 1)                                            58.66     0.05             (-6 2 2)                                            58.68     0.03             (10 2 1)                                            58.82     4.52             (4 4 1)                                             58.83     0.13             (0 3 2)                                             59.00     0.16             (-1 3 2)                                            59.09     0.14             (1 3 2)                                             59.19     0.11             (8 0 2)                                             59.20     0.03             (6 2 2)                                             59.59     0.14             (-2 3 2)                                            59.77     0.14             (2 3 2)                                             59.97     0.19             (-8 1 2)                                            60.52     0.02             (-5 4 1)                                            60.59     0.17             (-3 3 2)                                            60.68     0.17             (8 1 2)                                             60.74     0.04             (5 4 1)                                             60.86     0.16             (3 3 2)                                             61.03     0.01             (7 4 0)                                             61.28     0.00             (10 3 0)                                            61.33     4.01             (-7 2 2)                                            61.44     2.04             (-12 0 1)                                           61.72     0.07             (-9 3 1)                                            61.95     1.48             (7 2 2)                                             61.97     0.23             (12 0 1)                                            61.99     0.14             (-4 3 2)                                            62.11     0.12             (9 3 1)                                             62.34     0.14             (4 3 2)                                             62.58     6.89             (-11 2 1)                                           62.76     5.17             (-6 4 1)                                            62.90     0.14             (-12 1 1)                                           63.01     0.00             (12 2 0)                                            63.02     1.04             (6 4 1)                                             63.06     4.30             (11 2 1)                                            63.42     0.03             (12 1 1)                                            63.43     0.15             (-9 1 2)                                            63.76     0.00             (13 1 0)                                            63.79     0.11             (-5 3 2)                                            64.09     1.09             (8 4 0)                                             64.21     0.16             (9 1 2)                                             64.22     0.12             (5 3 2)                                             64.29     0.00             (1 5 0)                                             64.35     0.05             (-8 2 2)                                            64.90     0.00             (2 5 0)                                             65.04     0.07             (8 2 2)                                             65.36     0.01             (-7 4 1)                                            65.54     0.00             (11 3 0)                                            65.54     0.09             (-10 3 1)                                           65.66     0.00             (7 4 1)                                             65.78     0.30             (-10 0 2)                                           65.90     0.00             (3 5 0)                                             65.95     0.12             (-6 3 2)                                            65.97     0.04             (10 3 1)                                            66.46     0.11             (6 3 2)                                             66.62     4.59             (10 0 2)                                            67.17     0.00             (-12 2 1)                                           67.19     0.12             (-10 1 2)                                           67.28     0.00             (4 5 0)                                             67.48     0.00             (9 4 0)                                             67.68     0.00             (12 2 1)                                            67.69     1.76             (-9 2 2)                                            67.71     0.02             (14 0 0)                                            67.87     0.11             (-13 1 1)                                           68.00     0.81             (13 2 0)                                            68.02     0.12             (10 1 2)                                            68.25     0.06             (0 0 3)                                             68.30     0.05             (-8 4 1)                                            68.41     0.05             (13 1 1)                                            68.44     1.73             (9 2 2)                                             68.47     0.12             (-7 3 2)                                            68.47     0.05             (0 5 1)                                             68.64     0.12             (8 4 1)                                             68.65     0.06             (-1 5 1)                                            68.69     0.02             (1 5 1)                                             68.90     0.76             (-2 0 3)                                            68.91     3.97             (0 4 2)                                             69.04     0.01             (5 5 0)                                             69.05     0.10             (7 3 2)                                             69.06     0.00             (-1 4 2)                                            69.10     0.00             (14 1 0)                                            69.14     0.02             (1 4 2)                                             69.15     0.52             (2 0 3)                                             69.21     0.05             (-2 5 1)                                            69.29     0.05             (2 5 1)                                             69.60     0.75             (-2 4 2)                                            69.63     0.11             (0 1 3)                                             69.65     0.09             (-11 3 1)                                           69.76     0.14             (-1 1 3)                                            69.77     1.46             (2 4 2)                                             69.89     0.10             (1 1 3)                                             70.05     0.01             (12 3 0)                                            70.10     0.04             (11 3 1)                                            70.16     0.03             (-3 5 1)                                            70.28     0.05             (3 5 1)                                             70.28     0.12             (-2 1 3)                                            70.53     0.06             (-3 4 2)                                            70.53     0.12             (2 1 3)                                             70.77     0.04             (3 4 2)                                             71.10     1.43             (-4 0 3)                                            71.16     9.66             (10 4 0)                                            71.16     0.02             (6 5 0)                                             71.18     0.14             (-3 1 3)                                            71.22     0.11             (-11 1 2)                                           71.32     0.12             (-8 3 2)                                            71.33     0.03             (-10 2 2)                                           71.48     0.03             (-4 5 1)                                            71.55     0.13             (3 1 3)                                             71.57     0.00             (-9 4 1)                                            71.59     0.64             (4 0 3)                                             71.64     0.06             (4 5 1)                                             71.70     0.17             (-14 0 1)                                           71.83     0.78             (-4 4 2)                                            71.94     0.00             (9 4 1)                                             71.98     0.11             (8 3 2)                                             72.00     0.08             (-13 2 1)                                           72.12     0.13             (11 1 2)                                            72.14     0.03             (10 2 2)                                            72.15     3.09             (4 4 2)                                             72.27     0.14             (14 0 1)                                            72.46     0.11             (-4 1 3)                                            72.52     0.61             (13 2 1)                                            72.94     0.09             (4 1 3)                                             73.05     0.05             (-14 1 1)                                           73.17     0.02             (-5 5 1)                                            73.19     0.00             (14 2 0)                                            73.38     0.03             (5 5 1)                                             73.50     0.02             (-5 4 2)                                            73.62     0.04             (14 1 1)                                            73.64     0.00             (7 5 0)                                             73.71     0.03             (0 2 3)                                             73.84     0.69             (-1 2 3)                                            73.90     0.03             (5 4 2)                                             73.96     2.73             (1 2 3)                                             74.02     0.07             (-12 3 1)                                           74.10     0.09             (-5 1 3)                                            74.20     1.51             (-12 0 2)                                           74.35     0.02             (-2 2 3)                                            74.50     0.01             (12 3 1)                                            74.51     0.10             (-9 3 2)                                            74.59     0.03             (2 2 3)                                             74.64     0.00             (15 1 0)                                            74.70     0.09             (5 1 3)                                             74.77     0.00             (-6 0 3)                                            74.81     0.00             (13 3 0)                                            75.14     0.01             (11 4 0)                                            75.15     2.10             (-10 4 1)                                           75.16     0.32             (12 0 2)                                            75.23     0.00             (-3 2 3)                                            75.23     0.07             (-6 5 1)                                            75.23     0.11             (9 3 2)                                             75.27     2.75             (-11 2 2)                                           75.47     0.01             (6 5 1)                                             75.49     1.31             (6 0 3)                                             75.53     2.63             (-6 4 2)                                            75.54     0.10             (-12 1 2)                                           75.55     5.91             (10 4 1)                                            75.59     0.61             (3 2 3)                                             76.01     0.00             (6 4 2)                                             76.11     0.09             (-6 1 3)                                            76.14     0.84             (11 2 2)                                            76.46     0.00             (8 5 0)                                             76.48     0.00             (-4 2 3)                                            76.49     0.06             (12 1 2)                                            76.82     0.09             (6 1 3)                                             76.95     0.01             (4 2 3)                                             77.06     0.03             (-14 2 1)                                           77.62     0.01             (14 2 1)                                            77.64     0.06             (-7 5 1)                                            77.91     0.04             (7 5 1)                                             77.91     0.01             (-7 4 2)                                            78.02     0.10             (-10 3 2)                                           78.09     3.06             (-5 2 3)                                            78.46     0.04             (-15 1 1)                                           78.47     0.00             (7 4 2)                                             78.47     0.11             (-7 1 3)                                            78.62     0.60             (15 2 0)                                            78.67     0.08             (-13 3 1)                                           78.68     0.51             (5 2 3)                                             78.81     0.11             (10 3 2)                                            79.04     0.04             (-11 4 1)                                           79.06     0.03             (15 1 1)                                            79.09     2.71             (16 0 0)                                            79.10     0.01             (0 6 0)                                             79.18     0.02             (13 3 1)                                            79.28     2.21             (1 6 0)                                             79.29     0.09             (7 1 3)                                             79.42     1.03             (12 4 0)                                            79.47     0.03             (11 4 1)                                            79.50     0.00             (-12 2 2)                                           79.61     0.00             (9 5 0)                                             79.83     0.01             (14 3 0)                                            79.84     0.00             (2 6 0)                                             79.87     0.07             (-8 0 3)                                            ______________________________________                                     

I claim:
 1. An arsenic-resistant catalyst, comprising at least the metals vanadium and molybdenum in an oxygen lattice, having at least one relatively lower-oxygen phase obtained by reduction-treating of a relatively higher-oxygen phase of a general formula V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ in a given structure, where x+y≦12 and where x≧1 and y≧1, and a partly reduced molybdenum oxide phase, wherein said relatively lower-oxygen phase has said given structure.
 2. The arsenic-resistant catalyst according to claim 1, including a support material to which said phases are applied.
 3. The arsenic-resistant catalyst according to claim 1, including an oxidic support to which said composite oxides are applied, said oxides having pores with a pore radius of over 200 angstrom units for more than 75% of said pores.
 4. The arsenic-resistant catalyst according to claim 1, wherein said catalyst has pores with over 70% of said pores having a radius of from 200 to 10,000 angstrom units.
 5. The arsenic-resistant catalyst according to claim 1, wherein said catalyst has pores with more than 70% of said pores having a pore radius of over 500 angstrom units.
 6. The arsenic-resistant catalyst according to claim 1, wherein said catalyst has pores with more than 15% of said pores having a pore radius of over 1000 angstrom units.
 7. The arsenic-resistant catalyst according to claim 1, including an oxidic support for said phases having at least one material selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide, codierite, alumina and silica.
 8. The arsenic-resistant catalyst according to claim 1, including a metal support for said phases catalyst being formed of a material selected from the group consisting of expanded sheet metal, corrugated sheet metal and metal trellis work.
 9. The arsenic-resistant catalyst according to claim 1, including a support for said phases being formed of swelling clay.
 10. An arsenic-resistant catalyst, comprising at least the elements vanadium and molybdenum, having at least one relatively lower-oxide phase with a general formula V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ produced by mixing at least precursors of vanadium oxide and molybdenum oxide with one another to form a mixture, where x+y≦12 and where x≧1 and y≧1, heating the mixture to a temperature at which at least one relatively higher-oxide phase with a general formula V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ in a given structure is formed, then cooling down the mixture and subjecting said phase to a reducing treatment to prepare the lower-oxygen phase in said given structure, and a patly reduced molybdenum oxide phase.
 11. The catalyst according to claim 10, including an oxidic support for said phases having at least one material selected from the group consisting of titanium oxide, cordierite, alumina and silica.
 12. A method for producing an arsenic-resistant catalyst, which comprises mixing at least precursors of vanadium oxide and molybdenum oxide with one another to form a mixture, heating the mixture to a temperature at which at least one relatively oxygen-rich phase with a general formula V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ in a given structure is formed, where x+y≦12 and where x≧1 and y≧1, then cooling down the mixture, and then subjecting the relatively oxygen-rich phase to a reducing treatment to prepare a relatively lower-oxygen phase with said given structure.
 13. The method according to claim 12, which comprises mixing vanadium oxide and molybdenum oxide with one another in the mixing step.
 14. The method according to claim 12, which comprises heating the mixture until it is in completely molten form in the heating step.
 15. The method according to claim 12, which comprises heating the mixture to above 600° C. in the heating step.
 16. The method according to claim 12, which comprises applying the lower-oxygen phase of the general formula V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ to a metal support.
 17. The method according to claim 12, which comprises mixing the lower-oxygen phase of the general formula V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ in powder form with an oxidic support material.
 18. The method according to claim 17, which comprises calcining the lower-oxygen phase of the general formula V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ at substantially from 500° C. to 600° C.
 19. The method according to claim 13, which comprises mixing vanadium oxide and molybdenum oxide with one another in a ratio of about 0.7:1 in the mixing step.
 20. The method according to claim 12, which comprises melting the mixture at melting temperatures of substantially above 600° C., and maintaining the melting temperatures for approximately half an hour.
 21. The method according to claim 12, which comprises after the cooling down step, grinding down the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase to a particle diameter of substantially less than 180 μm, and then performing a reducing treatment to form a lower-oxygen phase of the general formula V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂.
 22. The method according to claim 12, which comprises grinding down the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase to a particle diameter of substantially less than 180 μm, and performing a gas reduction at substantially from 400° C. to 590° C. in a fixed bed.
 23. The method according to claim 12, which comprises grinding down the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase to a particle diameter of substantially less than 180 μm, and performing a gas reduction with a reducing gas at substantially from 400° C. to 590° C. in a fluidized bed.
 24. The method according to claim 12, which comprises adding arsenous oxide as a reducing agent during the reducing treatment.
 25. The method according to claim 12, which comprises adding at least one gas selected from the group consisting of methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds as a reducing agent during the reducing treatment.
 26. The method according to claim 12, which comprises adding arsenous oxide as a reducing agent during the reducing treatment, and leaching excess arsenic out of the lower-oxygen V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ product, after the reducing treatment.
 27. The method according to claim 12, which comprises adding arsenous oxide as a reducing agent during the reducing treatment, and removing excess arsenic from the lower-oxygen V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ product by heating, after the reducing treatment.
 28. The method according to claim 12, which comprises grinding down the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase to a particle diameter of substantially less than 180 μm, and performing an electro-reduction to form the lower-oxygen phase of the same structure.
 29. The method according to claim 12, which comprises grinding down the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase to a particle diameter of substantially less than 180 μm, and tempering for several hours, in dependence on a degree of conversion, in a vacuum below the melting point.
 30. The method according to claim 12, which comprises performing the reducing treatment step by gas reduction in the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase in a completely molten form at a temperature above 600° C., in the presence of at least one reducing agent selected form the group consisting of arsenous oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, methane, other hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds.
 31. The method according to claim 12, which comprises performing the reducing treatment step by electroreduction of the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase in completely molten form at a temperature above 600° C.
 32. The method according to claim 28, which comprises performing the reducing treatment step by electroreduction of the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase in completely molten form at a temperature above 600° C.
 33. The method according to claim 17, which comprises obtaining the lower-oxygen V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase by the reducing treatment of the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase in molten form, and grinding down to substantially less than 180 μm after cooling down and before mixing with the oxidic support.
 34. The method according to claim 30, which comprises obtaining the lower-oxygen V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase by the reducing treatment of the V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase in molten form, and grinding down to substantially less than 180 μm after cooling down and before mixing with an oxidic support.
 35. The method according to claim 12, which comprises applying the lower-oxygen V_(x) Mo_(y) O₃₂ phase to a titanium oxide support having a BET surface area of substantially from 40 to 200 m² /g and a pore radius of substantially from 20 to 200 angstrom units. 